AgroRenew Suspends Plans for Knox County Manufacturing Plant

KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - AgroRenew has announced that plans to build its manufacturing plant in Knox County have been suspended.

In a statement released Friday, the company said that “unforeseen circumstances, continued delays in process equipment deliveries, and growing financial constraints on out-of-country deliverables” have introduced challenges to the construction timeline and the current viability of the project.

Despite the suspension, AgroRenew emphasized that it remains “fully committed to the project” and continues to work with the Knox County Indiana Development Corporation.

The company previously announced plans for an $83-million, 196,000-square-foot headquarters and bioplastics production site on Elkhorn Road in Vincennes, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in June 2024.

In June, AgroRenew said that newly imposed tariffs had increased equipment costs by roughly 50%, leading to an initial delay in construction.

The company said that the specialized machinery needed for operations is sourced from Europe, and it could not move forward with construction until those components arrive.

The planned facility would have used agricultural byproducts from the region — including watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin waste — to create biodegradable plastic resins for packaging and other renewable products.

In the statement, AgroRenew says it has transferred all land on Elkhorn Road back to KCIED and has completed the deed transfer.

The company said it plans to repay money obtained through grants awarded as part of its economic development incentive package.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated to include information about the land transfer and repayment of money.